2017 In Review | Area Development Online + Site/Facility Planner Insider

As the year draws to a close, Area Development presents you with several insightful articles that ran in 2017. The information and advice they contain is worth another look and will be valuable to you and your company as you plan for a successful 2018. Our staff wishes you a happy and prosperous New Year!

Q2 2017 How Technology Will Overcome Demographics Randy Thompson, Senior Managing Director, U.S. Corporate Project Management, Cushman & Wakefield As robotics continue to evolve in both agility and intelligence, the day may come when site selectors can take labor availability out of the location equation..

Q3 2017 How U.S. Manufacturers Can Navigate the Route to the New Trade Policy Robert McCutcheon, U.S. Industrial Products Leader, PwC Manufacturers need to prepare now for prospective trade policy changes so that they may recalibrate their supply chains if need be.

Q3 2017 Women in Manufacturing: Closing the Gap Noelle Salerno, Consultant, Avalanche Consulting, Jennifer Vernon, Consultant, Avalanche Consulting The manufacturing industry is recruiting and advancing women to close the talent gap.

2017 Auto/Aero Site Guide The Automotive Industry: On The Eve Of Disruption Dennis Cuneo, Managing Partner, Fisher & Phillips Electrification and autonomous driving are just two of the forces disrupting the auto industry, as incumbent automakers compete with new entrants into the field.

2017 Food Processing Dinner on the Front Porch: How E-Commerce Is Affecting the Food Industry Jeff Dearduff, Corporate Director, Baking & Snack, The Austin Company As consumers receive more and more of their food through e-commerce, food manufacturers, assemblers, and distribution networks are going to have to think differently.

Q4 2017 Utilizing Advanced Technologies to Evaluate the Location Decision Rajiv Jetli, U.S. Industrial Products Operations & Advanced Manufacturing Leader, PwC Although manufacturers are using advanced technologies, including artificial intelligence, in their operations, they’ve yet to leverage these advances in the site selection process.

Q4 2017 Industry Sea Changes Affecting U.S. Shipping Gateways Walter Kemmsies, Ph.D., Managing Director, Economist and Chief Strategist, U.S. Ports, Airports and Global Infrastructure Group, JLL Damage from recent hurricanes could have a ripple effect across U.S. seaports, underscoring the rising demand for more sophisticated industrial real estate and infrastructure.

Data Centers 2017 Tackling The Risk Factors of Third-Party Data Centers Sean Brady, Managing Director, Tenant Advisory Group, Cushman & Wakefield Third-party data center users need to assemble an experience team — including IT professionals, engineers, real estate advisors, attorneys, and others — to help reduce risks on all fronts.

Q1 2017 It’s Your Move: Critical Considerations When Relocating Corporate Headquarters Dean J. Uminski, CEcD, Principal, Crowe Horwath The improving economy is making it more financially feasible for companies to relocate their corporate headquarters, but such a move calls for careful consideration of a variety of factors that will determine the ultimate success — or failure — of relocation.